Multipurpose cleaning tool having an interchangable head

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable cleaning tool has a pole member and a plurality of tool heads. Each tool had is removably coupled to the pole member. A locking device is attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member. The locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever kingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to a multi-purpose cleaning tool, and more particularly, to a multi-purpose cleaning tool having a plurality of interchangeable cleaning heads wherein each cleaning head has a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the cleaning head to a telescoping tool handle.

Cleaning tools like brooms, mops, and the like have been made with wooden, non-telescopic handles for many years. More recent versions of such tools have changed the handles from wood to lighter materials such as aluminum, fiberglass, or the like. The problem with existing tools is that the user is limited to one tool at a time, and each tool can only be used for a single task. Existing tools also places the user at a financial disadvantage because for each task, a different tool must be used and/or purchased.

Therefore, a need exists to provide a tool and method to overcome the above issues. The tool would have a plurality of interchangeable cleaning heads to allow the tool to perform multiple functions. Each interchangeable cleaning head would have a releasable coupling to simply and securely fasten the interchangeable cleaning head to the tool handle.

SUMMARY

An interchangeable cleaning tool has a pole member and a plurality of tool heads. Each tool had is removably coupled to the pole member. A locking device is attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member. The locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

An interchangeable cleaning tool has a pole member, wherein the pole member is a telescoping pole member. A plurality of tool heads is provided, wherein each tool head is removably coupled to the pole member. A locking device attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section and a substantially tubular outer body; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

An interchangeable cleaning tool has a pole member. A tool head is removably coupled to the pole member. A locking device is attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach the tool head to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cleaning tool package containing pieces of a cleaning tool.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a handle member of the cleaning tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is a cross-sectional view of a adapter locking apparatus in an unlocked arrangement;

FIG. 3 b is the cross sectional view of the adapter locking apparatus in a locked arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a tool head of the cleaning tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tool head and the adapter locking apparatus in operation;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a telescoping handle member having a handle locking apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the handle locking apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the tool cleaning tool;

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the handle member and tool head of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a magnified view showing the handle member of FIG. 9 engaging the tool head of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a cleaning package 10 is shown. The cleaning package 10 may comprise a plurality of components that in combination make up a cleaning tool 20. In the present embodiment, the cleaning package 10 may contain a handle member 22 and a plurality of tool heads 24. The handle member 22 and the plurality of tool heads 24 may be secured to the cleaning package in a plurality of manners. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the handle member 22 and the plurality of tool heads 24 may be secured to the cleaning package 10 using strap members 28.

The cleaning tool 20 may have a handle member 22. The handle member 22 may be formed of light weight but sturdy material such plastic, aluminum or the like. The listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The handle member 22 may be a solid handle or it may be a telescopic handle. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the handle 22 is a telescoping handle.

Located at one end of the handle 22 is a locking apparatus 26. The locking apparatus 26 may be used to easily secure and remove various tool heads 24 to the handle 22. The tool heads 24 may include but is not limited to a broom 24A, a mop 24B, a squeegee 24C or other similar tool heads. The above listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3 b, the locking apparatus is shown in more detail. The locking apparatus 26 may comprise an adapter housing 30. The adapter housing 30 may take on a plurality of different shapes. In the present embodiment, the adapter housing 30 is substantially tubular in shape. The adapter housing 30 may have a hollow interior having open ends 32A and 32B. One of the open ends 32A or 32B may be used to receive one end of the handle 22. The other open end 32A or 32B may be used to receive one of the tool heads 24 to be used.

The housing 30 of the locking apparatus 26 may have a tapered interior 42. The tapered interior 42 may correspond to a portion of the tool heads 24 which may be inserted into the locking apparatus 26. Further, the tapered interior 42 may be used to guide a portion of the tool head 24 into the adapter housing 30. An interaction between the tool heads 24 and the adapter locking apparatus 26 will be discussed in details below.

The adapter housing 30 may further include an aperture 34 on the perimeter 36 of the adapter housing 30. Adjacent the aperture 34, a lever 38 may be coupled to the adapter housing 30. The lever 38, may be pivotally couple to the adapter housing 30. In the present invention, the adapter housing 30 may include at least one support member 35, and the lever 38 may connect to the at least one support member 35 using a pin 37. The lever 38 may move about a single direction along its vertical axis.

In addition, the lever 38 may also include a protrusion member 40. The protrusion member 40 is integrally joined to the lever 38 at one end. The movement of the lever 38 and thus the protrusion member 40 may result in unlocked 1A and locked 2A positions. This arrangement may operate such that the movement of the lever 38 causes the protrusion member 40 to enter the aperture 34 when the lever is in the locked arrangement 1A, and to exit the aperture 34 when the lever 38 is in the unlocked arrangement 2A.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an exemplary embodiment of one of the tool heads 24 is shown. While the Figures show a broom head 24A, the below description may be applicable to the other tool heads 24.

The tool head 24 may include a tool head adapter 50. The tool head adapter 50 may be integrally joined to the body 52 of the tool head 24. In different embodiments of the tool head adapter 50, the tool head adapter 50 may comprise of diverse shapes. Here, the tool head adapter 50 has a substantially conical shape. The shape of the tool head adapter 50 may also correspond to the interior 42 of the housing 30 of the adapter locking apparatus 26. In particular embodiments of the tool head adapter 50, the tool head adapter 50 may comprise a resilient outer surface 54. Having used resilient material on the resilient outer surface 54 of the tool head adapter 50 permits the shape of the tool head adapter 50 to be flexible under pressure. The shape of the resilient outer surface 54 may revert back to its recess shape once the pressure is removed.

In an operational example, the adapter locking apparatus 26 receives the tool head adapter 50 therein. The shape of the tool head adapter 50 may facilitate the insertion of the tool head adapter 50 into the adapter locking apparatus 26. The interior 42 of the adapter locking apparatus 26 receives the tool head adapter 50 near to the body 52 of the tool head 24. Thereafter, the lever 38 may be moved from the unlocked arrangement 1A to the locked arrangement 2A. The lever in the locked arrangement 2A, may engage the protrusion member 40 on the resilient outer surface 54 of the tool head adapter 50, and hence, causing the protrusion member 40 to exert pressure over the resilient outer surface 54. This arrangement may cause the tool head adapter 50 to tightly and securely remain within the adapter locking apparatus 26.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a particular embodiment of the handle member 22 is shown. In the present embodiment, the handle member 22 is a telescoping handle member. The telescopic embodiment of the handle member 22 allows a user to adjust the length of the handle member 22 as he or she may desire. The handle member 22 may comprise of a plurality of segments 23. In the presents embodiment the plurality of segments 23 include a first segment 23A and a second segment 23B. The first segment 23A may be an elongated segment. Here, the first segment 23A is an elongated hallow tube. Furthermore, the second segment 23B may also be an elongated hollow tube. The second segment 23B may be partially disposed inside the first segment 23A. Also, the second segment 23B is slidably movable inside the first segment 23A to allow a user to adjust the length of the tool handle 22. Moreover, the second segment 23B may include a resilient circumference 25. The resilient circumference 25 may allow the shape of a portion of the outer surface of the second segment 23B to slightly change under pressure.

In addition, the first segment 23A may include a handle locking apparatus 60 at one end. The first segment 22A is partially disposed inside the handle locking apparatus 60. The handle locking apparatus 60 may operate between locked and unlocked arrangement. The locked arrangement may be used to lock the second segment 23B with respect to the first segment 23A, in order to adjust the length of the handle member 22 as desired.

Referring to FIG. 7, the handle locking apparatus 60 may comprise a handle housing 62. The handle housing 62 may be available in diverse shapes. In the present embodiment, a substantially tubular housing is used. Further, the handle housing 62 may be a hollow housing having at least one outlet end 64. The outlet end 64 may be used to receive the second segment therein. The handle housing 60 may further include an aperture 66 on the perimeter 68 of the housing 60. Adjacent the aperture 66, a lever 70 may be coupled to the handle housing 60. The lever 60, may pivotally couple to the handle housing 60. In present embodiment, the adapter housing 62 may include at least one support member 65, and the lever 70 may connect to the at least one support member 65 using a pin 72. The lever 70 may move about a single direction along its vertical axis. The movement of the lever 70 may result in unlocked and locked arrangements for the handle locking apparatus 70. In addition, the lever 70 may also include a protrusion member 74. The protrusion member 74 is integrally joined to the lever 70 at one end. This arrangement may operate such that the movement of the lever 70 causes the protrusion member 74 to enter the aperture 66 when the lever is in the locked arrangement 1B, and to exit the aperture 64 when the lever 70 is in the unlocked arrangement 2B.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an operational example of the cleaning tool 20 is shown. The handle member 22 may adopt diverse tool heads 24 at one end. In present embodiment, the adapter locking mechanism 26 is used to attach a tool head 24 to the handle member 22. Furthermore, the adapter locking apparatus 26 may secure the tool head 24 to the handle member 22 in the locked arrangement. The user may change the purpose of the cleaning tool 20 by unlocking the adapter locking apparatus 26 and placing a different tool head 24. The handle member 22 may also adopt various lengths as the user desires. In example, the user may leave the handle locking apparatus 60 on the unlock arrangement and then slidably move the second segment 23B of the handle member 24 into the first segment 23A to find his or her desire length for the handle member 22. Thereafter, the user may move the handle locking apparatus 60 to the locked arrangement, therefore securing the first segment 23A with respect to the second segment 23B.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of the handle member 22′ and tool head 24′ are shown. In this embodiment, the handle member 22′ is similar to the handle member 22. In the present embodiment, the handle member 22′ may include a plurality of indentions 100. The plurality of the indentions 100 may be placed on at least a portion of the body of the handle member 22′. Each indention 100 may be equally spaced apart from a successive another. This arrangement may permit the user to change the length of the handle member 22′ to certain predetermined lengths.

The plurality of indentions 100 may be used to securely engage the locking apparatus 26 to the handle member 22′. Here, each indention 100 may also be seized corresponding to the body of the protrusion member 40 (FIG. 7) of the locking apparatus 26. This arraignment may allow the protrusion member 40 to be inserted into the indentation 100, and hence, securely maintaining the handle member 22′ with respect to the locking apparatus 26.

In the present embodiment, the tool head adapter 50′ has a substantially tubular shape. The shape of the tool head adapter 50′ generally corresponds to the interior 42 of the housing 30 of the adapter locking apparatus 26. The tool head adapter 50′ may include at least one indentation member 102. The indentation member 102 may be utilized to securely connect the tool head 24′ to the handle member 22′. Here, the indentation member 102 may be sized corresponding to the body of the protrusion member 40 of the locking apparatus 26. Once the tool head adapter 50′ is inserted into the locking apparatus 26, the at least one indentation member 102 may receive the protrusion member 40 securely therein, and hence, firmly connecting the tool head 24′ to the handle member 22.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interchangeable cleaning tool comprising: a pole member; a plurality of tool heads, wherein each tool head is removably coupled to the pole member; and a locking device attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.
 2. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 1, further comprising the locking housing having a substantially tubular outer body.
 3. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tool heads comprises: a tool head adapter shaped in a substantially conical shape and having an inner perimeter corresponding to the shape of the locking housing; and a body member integral to the tool head adapter.
 4. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tool heads comprises: a tool head adapter having an inner perimeter corresponding to the shape of the locking housing; a locking indention formed in the tool head adapter; and a body member integral to the tool head adapter.
 5. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the pole member is a telescoping handle.
 6. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 5, wherein the telescoping handle comprises: a first segment; and a second segment, wherein the first segment slides inside the second segment, a portion of the first segment disposed inside the second segment.
 7. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 5, further comprising a handle locking apparatus attached to the second segment, the handle locking apparatus locking the position of the first segment with respect to the second segment.
 8. An interchangeable cleaning tool comprising: a pole member, wherein the pole member is a telescoping pole member; a plurality of tool heads, wherein each tool head is removably coupled to the pole member; and a locking device attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section and a substantially tubular outer body; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever kingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.
 9. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of tool heads comprises: a tool head adapter shaped having an inner perimeter corresponding to the shape of the locking housing; and a body member integral to the tool head adapter.
 10. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 8, wherein the telescoping handle comprises: a first segment; and a second segment, wherein the first segment slides inside the second segment, a portion of the first segment disposed inside the second segment.
 11. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 8, further comprising a handle locking apparatus attached to the second segment, the handle locking apparatus locking the position of the first segment with respect to the second segment.
 12. An interchangeable cleaning tool comprising: a pole member; a tool head removably coupled to the pole member; and a locking device attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach the tool head to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises: a locking housing; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.
 12. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 11, further comprising the locking housing having a substantially tubular outer body.
 13. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of tool heads, wherein each of the plurality of tool heads comprises: a tool head adapter having an inner perimeter corresponding to the shape of the locking housing; and a body member integral to the tool head adapter.
 14. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 11, wherein the each of the plurality of tool heads further comprises a locking indention formed in the tool head adapter, the locking indention receiving the protrusion.
 15. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 11, wherein the pole member is a telescoping handle.
 16. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 15, wherein the telescoping handle comprises: a first segment; and a second segment, wherein the first segment slides inside the second segment, a portion of the first segment disposed inside the second segment.
 17. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 16, further comprising a handle locking apparatus attached to the second segment, the handle locking apparatus locking the position of the first segment with respect to the second segment.
 18. The interchangeable cleaning tool of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of handle locking indentions formed in the second segment. 